What kind of drug test are run for pre-employment of nurses?

[iggyo5591]

Ive been taking hydrocodone for about 3 months 10mgs. I break them in half, so usually Im only taking 10-15mgs a day. I fell backwards over my lawn mower and hurt my back, so YES they are prescribed.
Ive put in for a job at the hospital and im wondering should I tell them Ive been taking these? And what kind of drug test are they gonna take?
They may deny me employment thinking Im an addict, since alot of nurses get hooked on these meds and could hurt a patient.
I know most of you will give me "hater" comments for this question, but I had to ask.


I have all my documentation from my doctor who prescribed the medication.

*******I was also wondering if the hospital would be bias and deny me employment because of this medication?******* Oh and will the person who hires me know of the meds im taking, because i listed them with the drug lab?

[sleepy1_love1]

I think that they only stay in your system for 2-3 days. So if you can not take them for those few days prior. I take 5 mg oxycodone on a daily basis for chronic pain and I was worried about the same thing.
You are better off not saying anything about the medication, even though they are prescription. I think that it is your personal information and they don't need to know that.

Good luck!!!

[US_DR_JD]

Your issue will be that you are taking narcotics for pain relief, which is what they are screening for. The lab will report the positive for opiates on the broad screen most likely before they confirm the medication on a GCMS. Also remember when you take hydrocodone it can show up on a urine screen as hydromorphone, which is what the body metabolizes the drug into.

The hospital may not want you in a position of responsibility while on narcotics (from a liability standpoint) and they may want to get clearance from your physician that you can perform the duties required as they also may have a workers comp issue if you reinjure your back.

You need to be straight with your potential employer, if you try to hide something and get caught they might terminate you.

[Sandra W]

They will screen you for just about any illegal substance, or narcotic, from pot to anything you can get a prescription for. Yes, tell them you have a scrip. for your back pain. There going to find out anyway with the test, better to be up front and honest, or they may think you are trying to hide something from them. As long as your doctor hasn't limited your ability to work, they should not have a problem hiring you. Good luck, hope you get the job you want.

[Dixie Babe]

Be totally honest with them. Bring your scripts with you or any other kind of documentation to back you up. That looks good to them. I am a nurse at a hospital and remember when I had my drug test, they asked if I had taken any kind of narcotic in the past 6months, year, and so on. So be honest and tell them up front. Be sure your recovered from you injury before you go back.
Good luck!

[ckaipolani]

Yes, you should let them know you are on this prescribed medication at the testing site. You will also need to provide a letter from you doctor stating that you are prescribed this medicaiton, that it will not interfer in your duties as a nurse and that you have none of the known side effects of the medication. I know this cause I just started working at a hospital as a nurse who had their drug testing. They test all narcotics and illegal substances by the way. Anyway, I'm on Fioricet and it's also prescribed. It raised a red flag but when I provided my doctor's letter, it was all good! Been working here for over six months and love it. Good luck!